Friday, November 22, 2013

Here is a list of some of the top performers in 2013. These
products would either be shared with neighbors as great products or talked
about in a whisper to protect secrets of success. This list is not in any
particular order of importance because different customers have different
situations.

SeaHume G has
produced spectacular results for a few years. A humic acid and seaweed
combination product really does some amazing things to the soil and the plant. The
comments I get the most are that the plant is stronger and has a better root
system, requires less water, see far less disease, and less insect damage.
SeaHume is a natural organic product, so people feel comfortable using it
around pets, people, and fish.

SeaHume L is the
liquid version of SeaHume G and also has quite a following for its bio stimulant
activities.

Cyonara L&G RTS
helped many people get through the mosquito season of 2013. In 2009 I tipped my
hat to the RTS packaging (except for herbicides – I heard of too much over
applying issues), and Cyonara L&G was the perfect product to be used this
way. RTS simply means ready to spray. You connect the bottle to the hose and
you are ready to spray. Cyonara kills many different pests around the yard and
the RTS container makes the application very fast and easy. Always read,
understand and follow product label.

Soil Test and Custom
Programs probably should top the list, but someone with bed bugs in an
apartment would not need these services. I recently was handed this testimonial
from Greg Lienert. “I started using Possum’s recipe for my lawn 3 years ago and
I have never had a better lawn in the 35 years that I have been trying to grow
the perfect lawn. Possum’s is awesome! I have the best lawn in the
neighborhood.” That’s what I’m talking
about proactive lawn care!

Pro-Pest Rodent Lure is
a peanut free lure for rodents that works! No peanut allergy issues here. When
a customer sends you a picture of two dead rodents on one trap, the verdict is
in. Professional rodent lures get the job done!

Repellex Granular
Mole Repellent is a new product for us in 2013 and the general feeling is that
it performs better and costs less than the product it replaced. Have to like
that! The product is organic and works!

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Another year has almost gone by. What a year! The rain in
the Spring and then the dry fall. The great weather for people doing activities
outside, led to large patch / brown patch on our turf. Does anyone / everyone
have moles?

I’m looking forward to my trip through the Festival of
Lights at James Island County Park. I’m sure I will be treated to another
outstanding display of lights this year, plus the sand castle, train, walk
around displays, shops and all the “fair food!” If you’re a kid, does Christmas
still seems like it takes forever to get here? It sure comes up quick to
me!

I wanted to get this yearly Christmas Tree article out
early, so you could make plans to go to a local Christmas Tree Farm, find a local
source for a cut tree, or use a live tree that you could use in your landscape
after the holidays, if you were so inclined.

After Thanksgiving, many of you will be searching for a
Christmas tree.If you are going to buy
a cut tree, consider buying it from a local business that is here year-round
like an independently owned garden center.If you buy it from a tent, or a temporary site, look for one that is run
by the Exchange Club, Optimist Club, Rotary Club, a local church, a local
school club, a local landscaper or another local organization.Many local organizations that sell trees give
a portion of the profits to local charities such as Camp Happy Days.

There are some people from out of state that set up tents in
grocery store parking lots. They take their profits out of state when they
leave. If you support our local businesses, then you keep our money in our
local economy and maybe save a local job. Very important to always keep profits
local, especially these days.

Many of the local garden centers offer great Christmas gifts
along with trees this time of year.They
have purchased many seasonal items that would be a great present for anyone.
Gift certificates are usually available for the hard to shop for gardener.Shopping at a garden center is a great way to
avoid long lines.The parking is free
and plentiful this time of year.

Have you ever considered a live tree? Different Hollies
(right now you can tell the females with beautiful berries), Leyland Cypress,
Eastern Red Cedar, Little Gem Magnolias, Osmanthus, Deodara Cedar and many more
make great trees and after the holidays you can plant them in your yard instead
of throwing them to the curb.

Local tree farms are also an option. A ride in the country
is always a good family event (how much longer will it take to get
there?).Noel’s Christmas Tree Farm on
Johns Island and Too Goo Doo Tree Farm on the way to Edisto are two local tree
farms.Picking out your own tree is fun
for the whole family and usually involves hot chocolate and hay rides. You know
you are getting a fresh tree when you cut it yourself.

If you go with a traditional cut tree, make sure it is in
water at the place you buy it (unless it is coming fresh off of the truck), and
make sure it stays in water until you take it to the curb.Once you bring it home cut an inch off of the
bottom of the tree and place it in a 5 gallon bucket of water.While the tree is still outside, consider
spraying the tree with Transfilm, Cloud Cover or Wilt Proof to keep the water
loss through the leaves at a minimum. If you notice any insects on the tree,
blast it with a strong stream of water or consider an insecticidal soap. Let
the tree dry before bringing it into the house.

Locate your tree within your house away from heating ducts
and the fireplace. A stand that can hold
a lot of water is a big plus because a fresh cut Christmas tree can drink 1-2
gallons of water per day.Have one
responsible adult in charge of watering the Christmas tree daily to avoid
ruining the carpet or floors.If you
can, fill (2) one gallon milk jugs each day and let them sit for 24 hours, this
will allow the chlorine to evaporate out of the water.Letting the chlorine evaporate from the water
you water your plants with, is a practice you should use when watering all
house plants.

There are many secrets to keeping a tree fresh.Having a fresh cut and keeping water above
this cut at all times is the most important thing you can do for the tree.The water conducting vessels quickly close up
if the tree does not have constant water.Using a drop of Super Thrive in each gallon of water will help the tree
stay fresh. Many people use 7-up and an aspirin in the water.

Thank you for all of your letters, questions and for reading
The Horticulture Hotline!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Large Patch / Brown Patch exploded once again in our yards.
We almost sent out an email alert, but I figured most knowledgeable readers of
the Horticulture Hotline could figure out that something was not right with
their lawn. I did not want to be an alarmist. These warmer temperatures and
high humidity weather have been perfect for the disease.

If you have areas of your grass that are yellowing in a circular
pattern or just random yellowing, you may want to consider using a fungicide. Be
sure to identify the disease first, so you choose the right product to control
the problem.

One way to identify the disease is to pull on a yellow leave
blade. If it is Large Patch / Brown Patch it will separate right where the leaf
blade meets the runner (the crown). Make sure the leaf is completely yellow.
There will be a dark discolored area where the leave is rotting at the base. If
you pull on a healthy green leaf, the leaf will break at your thumb not at the
base. A healthy leaf will be well connected at the crown.

There are many control methods for large patch. Visit a
local Possum’s for the one that fits your needs best. Chemical, organic, and
cultural practices combined together are usually the best way to manage this
soil borne disease.

I’m sure you have noticed that the mole is very busy looking
for food. Always best to manage this furry little critter with a three pronged
approach. There are organic, chemical, and cultural ways to control the mole as
well.

If you kill the mole, manage the food source in the ground,
and repel them from your landscape, you are going to enjoy the most success. If
you use an insecticide, be sure you get one that is effective against sub
surface insects.

I went into a box store the other day to use their restroom,
and right by the door was four pallets of different “winterizing fertilizers”.
These products were designed for our northern neighbors (rye, fescue, and blue
grass) not our Lowcountry grasses. Be careful!

About Me

Bill Lamson-Scribner can be reached during the week at Possum’s Landscape and Pest Control Supply. Possum’s has three locations 481 Long Point Rd in Mt. Pleasant (971-9601), 3325 Business Circle in North Charleston (760-2600), or 606 Dupont Rd, in Charleston (766-1511). Bring your questions to a Possum’s location, or visit us at http://www.possumsupply.com. You can also call in your questions to
“ The Garden Clinic”, Saturdays from noon to 1:00, on 1250 WTMA (The Big Talker).